Ukraine: The Latest

Day 1,031Today, as Kyiv comes under renewed intense bombardment, we speculate over a possible Russian advance in the South, and later, we interview a blind lawyer in Kharkiv.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor, Defence). @DomNicholls on X.With thanks to Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist & narrative podcast producer). @adeliepjz on X.Donate to David's charity:This Christmas, the Telegraph is honouring the life and work of our late colleague David Knowles by working with Humanity & Inclusion, a charity helping the ill, vulnerable and disabled left behind in Ukraine’s warzones. You can donate here:https://telegraph.ctdonate.org/ Francis's Article on the Kharkiv underground School, with photos and clips:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/christmas/2024/12/17/inside-kharkivs-underground-school-for-ukrainian-children/Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day : 1,030Today, as continued attacks on civilians in the Kherson area suggest Russia’s so-called 'human safari' is ongoing, we report on Putin’s annual press conference, where he said Russia had ‘reached all its goals’ in Syria. Then, our latest dispatch from the frontline city of Kharkiv.Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor, Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X.Hamish de Bretton Gordon (Former Tank Commander). @HamishDBG on X.With thanks to our guests Luda and Ilia, and to Adélie Pojzman-Pontay.Donate to David's charity:This Christmas, the Telegraph is honouring the life and work of our late colleague David Knowles by working with Humanity & Inclusion, a charity helping the ill, vulnerable and disabled left behind in Ukraine’s warzones. You can donate here:https://telegraph.ctdonate.org/ Francis's Article on the Kharkiv underground School, with photos and clips:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/christmas/2024/12/17/inside-kharkivs-underground-school-for-ukrainian-children/Articles Referenced:Putin: Russia ‘getting closer’ to achieving goals in Ukraine (Telegraph Live Blog):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/12/19/putin-moscow-ukraine-zelensky/ Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,029.Today, as the fallout from the assassination in Moscow of General Kirillov continues, we report on the environmental damage being wrought along Russia’s Black Sea coast following the loss of shadow-fleet tankers and examine the possible poisoning of the mother of Russian opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza.Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.James Kilner (Foreign Correspondent). @jkjourno on X.Daniel Hardaker (Foreign Correspondent). @DanielHardaker4 on X.Donate to David's charity:This Christmas, the Telegraph is honouring the life and work of our late colleague David Knowles by working with Humanity & Inclusion, a charity helping the ill, vulnerable and disabled left behind in Ukraine’s warzones. You can donate here:https://telegraph.ctdonate.org/ Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,028.Today, we react to the news that the Russian general in charge of the military’s nuclear and chemical weapons division has been assassinated in a scooter bomb attack, we hear live from the Joint Expeditionary Force summit in Estonia, and we hear our latest dispatch from the frontline city of Kharkiv.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Hamish De Bretton-Gordon (Former British Army Tank Commander). @HamishDBG on XJames Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on X.With thanks to Jack Leather and Adélie Pojzman-Pontay for photographs, videos, and recordings.Donate to David's charity:This Christmas, the Telegraph is honouring the life and work of our late colleague David Knowles by working with Humanity & Inclusion, a charity helping the ill, vulnerable and disabled left behind in Ukraine’s warzones. You can donate here:https://telegraph.ctdonate.org/ Francis's Article on the Kharkiv underground School, with photos and clips:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/christmas/2024/12/17/inside-kharkivs-underground-school-for-ukrainian-children/Articles Referenced:Why Russian blimps appearing on Nato’s border are a message from Moscow (James in The Telegraph)https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/12/16/russia-mysterious-blimps-sow-fear-and-confusion-nato-border/The 500-mile high speed rail line that can carry Nato troops to a war with Russia (James in The Telegraph)https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/12/17/rail-baltica-nato-troops-russia-estonia-latvia-lithuania/Russia’s War Economy Is Hitting Its Limits (Foreign Policy)https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/11/14/russia-war-putin-economy-weapons-production-labor-shortage-demographics/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=emailSubscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,027.Today, as video evidence emerges of North Korean troops in combat, in a special episode we hear a report David Knowles recorded before his death which looks deeper into the question of Pyongyang’s early involvement in this war, and hear about the charity we are fundraising for this year, in David’s memory.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist & narrative podcast producer). @adeliepjz on X.David Knowles (Host & Creator).With thanks to Damien Spleeters (Director of Expeditionary Operations, Conflict Armament Research) @damspleet on X, Ihor Nalyvaiko (translator), and the team from Conflict Armament Research in Kyiv.Donate to David's charity:This Christmas, the Telegraph is honouring the life and work of our late colleague David Knowles by working with Humanity & Inclusion, a charity helping the ill, vulnerable and disabled left behind in Ukraine’s warzones. You can donate here:https://telegraph.ctdonate.org/ Content Referenced:Telegraph’s David Knowles, who launched Ukraine podcast, wins posthumous award (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/12/15/the-telegraph-david-knowles-ukraine-the-latest-award/Russian oil tankers sink off coast of Crimea (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/12/15/russian-oil-tankers-sink-off-coast-of-crimea/Covert Shores:http://www.hisutton.com/Ukraine delays critical minerals deal with US ‘so Trump can claim credit’ (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/12/15/ukraine-delays-critical-minerals-deal-us-trump-claim-credit/Russia pulls hundreds of troops out of Damascus (Financial Times):https://www.ft.com/content/6782dbd1-39cb-48b4-8b94-92925dbd60d5North Korean missiles produced in 2024 used in Ukrainehttps://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/15ae6ca767bc46a1b536ac7e2d962b66North Korean missile relies on recent electronic componentshttps://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/0814c6868bbd45a98b15693a31bd0e7fDocumenting a North Korean missile in Ukrainehttps://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/3a4e9d713f59426d9d1ea3881abecbf3Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,024.Today, amid renewed Russian bombardments across the entirety of Ukraine, we consider the impact of new weapons of war. Then, our first formal dispatch from the frontline city of Kharkiv.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X.Michael Bohnert (Engineer & Researcher, RAND Corporation). @mbohnert on X.With thanks to Oleh Synyehubov, Governor of Kharkiv Oblast.Articles Referenced:‘A brilliant journalist and brilliant human being’: David Knowles remembered with Public Service Awardhttps://pressgazette.co.uk/news/david-knowles-francis-dearnley-public-service-british-journalism-awards-2024/Russian spy ring ‘plotted to exploit small boats crisis to abduct journalist in UK’https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/12/10/russian-spy-ring-plotted-to-exploit-small-boats-crisis-to-a/Russian missile scientist ‘assassinated by Ukrainian special forces’https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/12/12/russian-cruise-missiles-designer-assassinated-by-ukraine/Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,023.Today, as Russian forces seek to capitalise near Pokrovsk, we consider the reasons for a drop in Russian air strikes, and hear about an extraordinary case of alleged Kremlin spycraft.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X.James Kilner (Moscow Desk). @jkjourno on X.Hayley Dixon (Special Correspondent). @haylesdixon on X.Content Referenced:Russian spy ring leader described honeytrap agent as a ‘true sexy bitch’, court hearshttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/12/02/russian-spy-ring-leader-honeytrap-agent-sexy-bitch/Russia uses civilians as ‘target practice’ for killer drones https://www.ft.com/content/31b630b3-2639-456c-ba50-3caea7a9b2b5 Macron, Tusk to discuss deploying peacekeepers to Ukraine after ceasefirehttps://kyivindependent.com/macron-tusk-to-discuss-deploying-peacekeepers-to-ukraine-bloomberg/Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,022.Today, Kyiv says it has enough money and weapons to resist Russia until mid-2025, and an interview with a rising star in President Zelensky's party.Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Hamish de Bretton Gordon (Former Tank Commander). @HamishDBG on X.Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X.With special thanks to our guest Dmytro Natalukha @DmytroNatalukha on X.Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,021.Today, we consider the huge ramifications for Russia of the loss of its naval bases and influence over Syria, and look once again to the subject of war crimes and the kidnapping of Ukrainian children.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X.Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @barnes_joe on X.Con Coughlin (Defence and Foreign Affairs Editor). Nathanial A Raymond (Executive Director of the Humanitarian Research Lab at the Yale School of Public Health). @nattyray11 on X.Content Referenced:Assad: The Triumph of Tyranny (by Con Coughlin):https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/con-coughlin/assad/9781529074925Russia’s Systematic Program of Coerced Adoption and Fostering of Ukraine’s Children (Yale Report) - https://hub.conflictobservatory.org/portal/apps/sites/#/home/pages/ukraine-russia-children-adoptionStolen Ukrainian children put up for adoption on websites funded by Putin (The Telegraph) - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/12/03/stolen-ukrainian-children-forced-adoption-russia-putin/70% of Ukrainians support 'West German' model for NATO accession, survey shows (Kyiv Independent)https://kyivindependent.com/west-germany-survey/ Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,020.Today, following historic, impromptu meetings at the reopening of Notre-Dame in Paris - including between President Zelensky and President-elect Trump - we dig into the significance of Bashar al Assad's fall for Russia and Ukraine. And we interview author Jacob Heilbrunn about why some on the political right are sometimes attracted to the easy answers that dictators provide.Contributors:Venetia Rainey (Co-host Battle Lines podcast). @venetiarainey on X.Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X.James Kilner (Foreign Correspondent). @jkjourno on X.With thanks to Jacob Heilbrunn (Editor, The National Interest). @JacobHeilbrunn on X.Content Referenced:How Russia is expanding its military foothold in Africahttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/12/03/russia-expands-military-presence-libya-pictures/Jacob Heilbrunn's book, 'America Last':https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324094661Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,017.Today, as Kyiv forces launch a fresh assault in Kursk and capture Russian soldiers, we hear the mood in the combat zone of the Donbas, as Zelensky’s right-hand man Yermak tours Washington to speak to Trump’s team.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Tom Mutch (Freelance Journalist). @Tomthescribe on X.Ed Cumming (Senior Feature Writer). @edcumming on X.Content Referenced:Ukrainian special forces ‘capture 12 Russian soldiers’ in fresh Kursk advance (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/12/06/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-latest-news/Ukraine to open talks with Trump team on halting war (Wall Street Journal):https://www.wsj.com/world/ukraine-to-open-talks-with-trump-team-on-halting-warSubscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,016.Today, as Odesa faces renewed attacks down on the coast, we lead with the downfall of a multi billion pound Russian money laundering system, and interview the front man of Ukraine's most famous and influential rock band, Okean Elzy.  Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @RolandOliphant on X.With thanks to our special guest, Svyatoslav Vakarchuk of 'Okean Elzy'. @s_vakarchuk on X.Learn more about Slava's band, 'Okean Elzy':https://okeanelzy.com/en/https://www.softserveinc.com/en-us/news/softserve-and-okean-elzy-rock-band Content Referenced:Multi-billion pound Russian money laundering network exposed in international sting (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/12/04/russian-money-laundering-network-downfall/Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,015.As the NATO Foreign Ministers meeting ends in Brussels with no invitation for Ukraine to join, we interview Andrei Yermak, adviser to President Zelensky.Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X.Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @RolandOliphant on X.With thanks to our special guest, Andrei Yermak, adviser to President Zelensky.Content referenced:Video Version of the Interview with Yermak:https://youtu.be/CneThrXUHSISubscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,014.Today, on its 30th anniversary, we look at the myopic approach to the Budapest Treaty and its far-reaching effects on present-day Ukraine, and we discuss the extraordinary events of recent days in Syria, with massive ramifications for Russia's influence in the region.Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X.Hamish De Bretton-Gordon (Former British Army Tank Commander). @HamishDBG on XContent referenced:Ukraine ‘halts Russian attempt to cross river on eastern front’ (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/12/03/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-latest-news59/Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Budapest Memorandum (Ukrainian Government):https://mfa.gov.ua/en/news/zayava-mzs-ukrayini-z-nagodi-30-richchya-z-chasu-pidpisannya-budapeshtskogo-memorandumuVladimir Putin to reject Donald Trump’s opening peace offer, says Russian tycoon (FT)https://www.ft.com/content/ac39b604-ef6d-41cb-bb8c-0eb76e002176Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,013.Today, we report on the dramatic shift in rhetoric from President Zelensky towards any future peace deal, and hear about Ukraine’s 'mobilisation police' and the effect they are having among young Ukrainian men.Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe on X.With thanks to Anna Conkling (Journalist). @ConklingAnna on X.Content referenced:‘Like dealing with cornered rats’: The men who force Ukrainians to the front lines’https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/11/28/ukrainian-mobilisation-officer-explained-kyiv-war-russia/Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,010.Today, amid more drone strikes by Russia targeting Ukraine, we get the view from Tbilisi on last night's protests against Georgia's pro-Kremlin government. We also have a fascinating interview with Estonia's Foreign Minister, Margus Tsahkna, about Donald Trump and how he could be the Churchill of our times.Contributors:Venetia Rainey (Co-host Battle Lines podcast). @venetiarainey on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.With thanks Marika Mikiashvili (Georgian researcher and political activist) @Mikiashvili_M on X; and Margus Tsahkna (Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia) @Tsahkna on X.Content referenced:N. Korea conceals combat deaths of troops fighting in Russiahttps://www.dailynk.com/english/north-korea-conceals-combat-deaths-troops-fighting-russia/Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,009.Today, we hear who Donald Trump has named as his envoy to Ukraine and we have an exclusive interview with former British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X.With thanks to our very special guest, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. His memoir, 'Unleashed', is available here: https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/unleashed-boris-johnson?variant=41552640835662Content referenced:Boris Johnson interview VIDEO VERSION:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01DdfMqP4-gSyrian rebels launch surprise offensive against Assad (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/11/28/syrian-rebels-launch-surprise-attack-against-assad-regime/Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,008.Today, further to the usual updates, the team share details of their secret trip to the east of Ukraine, including what it's like to hear missiles landing nearby. Plus, we trail an upcoming interview with one of our most requested guests on the podcast.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Content referenced:Russian rouble falls to 31-month low as fresh sanctions hammer currency:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/11/26/ftse-100-markets-latest-news-uk-trump-tariffs-china-jobs/Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,007.Today, we hear how Valery Zaluzhny’s told Ukrainian troops they must be willing to die, and former Ukrainian defence minister Andrei Zagorodunyuk calls on the West to come up with a positive strategy for victory.Contributors:Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @RolandOliphant on X.Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe on X.Danielle Sheridan (Defence Editor). @SheridanDani on X.Andriy Zagorudnyuk (Former Ukrainian Defence Minister). @Andriypzag on X.Plus the latest dispatch from Francis Dearnley in Ukraine.Content referenced:Ukraine Focus: https://ukrainefocus.org/Drones drop water bombs as Britain trains Ukrainians for changed war (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/11/20/drones-drop-water-bombs-as-britain-trains-ukrainians/ Russia kicks out British diplomat for ‘spying’ (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/11/26/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-latest-news57-lammy-troop/Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,006.Today, we report on Russian advances on the battlefield around the town of Kurakhove, a plane crash in Lithuania raises fears of Russian sabotage, and the journalist Inna Varenytsia tells us why civilians in Kherson are now afraid to walk in the park. Contributors:Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @RolandOliphant on X.James Kilner (Foreign Correspondent). @jkjourno on X.With special thanks to our guest Inna Varenytsia (Journalist). @InnaVarenytsia on X.Plus the latest dispatch from Francis Dearnley in Ukraine.Articles referenced:DHL cargo plane crashes into house killing at least onehttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/11/25/dhl-cargo-plane-crashes-house-killing-one/Britain is in ‘AI arms race’ with Russia, Pat McFadden to warnhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/11/25/ai-arms-cyber-race-pat-mcfadden-putin-russia-ukraine/Putin ready to cripple Britain with cyber attacks, minister warnshttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/11/23/putin-ready-to-cripple-britain-in-cyber-war/Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.